ASU men, women lead SWAC golf after opening round

ALEXANDRIA, Louisiana – Both Alabama State golf teams are in first place after the first round of competition at the Southwestern Athletic Conference golf championships.

The women's team, which have won two of the last three conference championships, hold a 30-shot lead over second-place Jackson State after shooting an opening round score of 306 at the Links on the Bayou Golf Course.

The men's team, which captured conference titles in 2012 and 2013, lead Jackson State by 21 strokes after shooting a one-under 287 at the Oak Wing Golf Course.

"I'm really focused on day two," ASU golf coach Gary Grandison said. "Day one is over. Both teams played well in spurts. They played better than their scores reflect, which is good for us."

The women's team returns all five starters from ...

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Dana Ford Announced as TSU New Men's Basketball Coach

DANA FORD
HEAD MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
Photo Courtesy of TSU Athletics

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- Dana Ford was introduced as the next head coach of the Tennessee State men’s basketball team at a press conference on Monday.

“We are going to be in the hands of a rising star,” Athletics Director Teresa Phillips said. “Dana is a well-rounded man with wisdom that goes beyond his years. He is the right fit at the right time.”

 

Ford, 29, will take over a program that went 5-25 last season. However, he has shown that he can turn things around quickly, as TSU increased its win total to twenty games during his final year as an assistant (2010-11).

 

“My main goal is to build a program that the current students and the past alumni can be proud of,” Ford said. “

 

"The focus will be about the players; they will be responsible for the wins, while I will be held accountable for the losses.

 

“Recruiting is the life-line of the program and I have a pretty good track record as a recruiter, but any head coach is just as good as his staff. I look forward to bringing together the best personnel.”

 

Ford was also responsible for signing high-profile Tigers Robert Covington, Patrick Miller and Kellen Thornton among others.

 

“The only thing that I can promise is that we will play defense like our hair is on fire and rebound like mad men.”

 

 

 

What others are saying about Ford’s hiring:

 

“I am really excited for Dana and his family. Dana was very integral to our success while I was there in Nashville. TSU is getting a fine young coach who will do things the right way while also leading a disciplined program. I expect Dana to educate young men on and off the court as well as compete for championships in due time.” - John Cooper, Head Coach Miami (OH)

“Dana Ford is a rising star in our profession. I was fortunate to be able to work alongside Dana for the past two years and watch him grow.  His passion, energy, knowledge, intensity and ability to build relationships with people are going to allow Dana to be very successful as a head coach.  We will all miss Dana here at Illinois State, but I could not be happier for him and his family to get this great opportunity at Tennessee State.”  - Dan Muller, Head Coach Illinois State

 

"Dana Ford is a rising superstar in the college coaching ranks. He has paid his dues and prepared himself for this opportunity the right way. His résumé is topped off with an aggressive, charismatic style that is guarded with wonderful humility. The TSU fans can expect big things from this talented coach."  - Stan Jones, Associate Head Coach Florida State

“I have known Dana since he was in high school and I tried to recruit him to attend Indiana State.  The same qualities that he possessed back then to make him a successful basketball player are the exact same qualities that will make him a successful head coach. He is first and foremost a good person who cares about the welfare of others, with a relentless work ethic. He is extremely bright and relates well to all, regardless of demographics.”  - Rick Ray, Head Coach Mississippi State

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Southern University Banks agree in principle to new deal

ROMAN BANKS
Photo courtesy of SU Athletics

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  Southern University and head men's basketball coach Roman Banks have reached an agreement in principle to a new deal ensuring the return of the two-time SWAC and Louisiana Sports Writers' Association's Coach of the Year, athletic department officials confirmed Monday.

"We're excited about the prospect of continuing our relationship with Coach Banks and I remain excited about his leadership of the men's basketball team at Southern U.," Athletics Director Dr. William Broussard said.

Approval for the new deal is pending and is not expected until the Southern University Board of Supervisors meet in May. Term of the contract were not disclosed at the present time.

"Today, Southern University has expressed its commitment to the future of the men's basketball program by investing in me to remain as head coach," Banks said. "With a new agreement in place, I am eager to move the men's basketball program forward while elevating the standard of excellence that we set as a coaching staff when I first arrived in 2011. But none of this would be possible without the relentless efforts of our university administration, athletics director, coaches and, most importantly, our student-athletes."

In three season as head coach, Banks has compiled a stellar 59-37 overall record, winning the SWAC tournament title in 2013 and the SWAC regular season crown in 2014. This past season, Banks guided Southern to a 19-13 record and the program's first regular season SWAC title since 2003.

Banks, a Shreveport native and former Northwestern State standout, is credited as the catalyst who helped restore the men's program to prominence after suffering through several losing seasons and NCAA imposed APR penalties.

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

TSU Tigers Complete Day One of OVC Championships

Courtesy: Tennessee State Athletics

MUSCLE SHOALS, Alabama – The Tennessee State women’s golf team struggled to put all facets of the game together on day one of the 2014 Ohio Valley Conference golf championships. The 10-team field played the Par-72, 6,203 yard Fighting Joe course at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at The Shoals under mostly sunny skies, with winds 7-9 mph and temperatures reaching 79 degrees.

 

Eastern Kentucky leads after the first 18-holes, while TSU is 10th with a 359.Sarah Needleman tied a career best with an 83, as she shot the team low. Needleman carded eight pars and two birdies during the first round. The sophomore hit 10-of-14 fairways, found nine greens in regulation and averaged under a putt per hole.

 

On the par-5, 7th, Needleman sank a 20 foot putt for birdie after she knocked her third shot on the green with a 7-wood from 171 yards out. On the par-4, 16th, the Fishers, Ind. native used a 6-iron from 142 yards to eight feet of the pin to set up her second bird of the day.

 

Laura Bremer (98) was one of only two Tigers to record two birdies on the day. Bremer dropped a pair of seven foot putts, No. 7 and the par-4, 15th. The sophomore-transfer hit six fairways and five greens, while using 36 putts.

 

TSU received scoring rounds from Amelia Dap (90), Kelly Merkel (91) and Natalie Spicer (95).

 

On the par-3, 5th, Dap hit a 7-iron into the wind and onto the green to set up a two putt for par.

 

Merkel notched seven pars on the day and hit eight fairways and eight greens, while Natalie Spicer made five pars as she hit 13-of-14 fairways and seven greens. Both golfers needed 36 putts on the day.

 

The second round will begin at 8:00am on Tuesday morning with Bremer in the first group. Spicer will tee-off at 8:10am, followed by Merkel at 8:20am, Dap at 8:30am and Needleman at 8:40am. Hole-by-hole live results from each day of the championships can be accessed through links at OVCSports.com.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

5 from Xavier are chosen Arthur Ashe Sports Scholars

Jodi Chatters

Alexandria Rencher

Javon Mead

Briana Simms

Devinn Rolland

NEW ORLEANS — Five student-athletes from Xavier University of Louisiana — two more than a year ago — have been selected Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars for the 2013-14 academic year.
     
Repeat selections from Xavier are Javon Mead (men's cross country/track and field) and Devinn Rolland (women's track and field). Mead is a three-time selection, and Rolland has been honored twice. Also chosen were women's volleyball players Jodi Chatters and Alexandria Rencher and women's cross country/track athlete Briana Simms.
      
 Diverse Issues in Higher Education, a magazine based in Fairfax, Va., has sponsored the awards since the mid-1990s. Criteria for the awards include being a person of color with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 through the fall 2012 semester. Honorees must have completed one full academic year at the nominating institution and have a demonstrated record of service to the campus or community.
     
For the second consecutive year, Xavier is the only Louisiana university with an Ashe scholar. XU has five of the six Ashe scholars from NAIA members this year.
      
Mead, a senior from Baton Rouge, La., and a graduate of Baton Rouge Magnet High School, is an accounting major with a 3.67 GPA. He is a three-time All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference cross country runner and has helped the Gold Rush win four GCAC team titles.
      
Mead is the fifth from Xavier to earn the Ashe honor three times. Alexandra Broussard (women's tennis), Jamaan Kenner (men's basketball), Kelechi Okoroha (men's basketball} and Terry Richardson (men's tennis) were the others.
     
Rolland, a junior from Harvey, La., and a graduate of Cabrini High School in New Orleans, is a pharmacy major with a 3.99 GPA. She is a three-time GCAC outdoor champion in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and the long jump. This season she ranks third in the NAIA in the 100 and long jump and is tied for 10th in the 200.
      
 Chatters, a sophomore from Lake Charles, La., and a graduate of St. Louis Catholic High School, is a biology/pre-medical major with a 3.50 GPA. A libero/defensive specialist in volleyball, Chatters recorded 348 digs and 16 aces this past season for Xavier's 26-8 team which won GCAC regular-season and tournament titles and qualified for the NAIA National Championship.
     
Rencher, a junior from Mobile, Ala., and a graduate of Davidson High School, is a computer science major with a 3.37 GPA. She was second on the Gold Nuggets this past season with 361 assists and served a career-best six aces in a home victory against city rival Loyola. Like Chatters, Rencher was part of an XU team which set a school record of 20 consecutive victories in 2013.
     
Simms, a sophomore from Hendersonville, Tenn., and a graduate of Station Camp High School, is a chemistry major with a 3.23 GPA. Simms is a two-time All-GCAC cross country runner, and she was All-GCAC in the 3,000 steeplechase (second place) and 1,500 (third place) at the GCAC track championships earlier this month
.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/xulagold    

XU's Flowers, Soifer voted GCAC Players of the Week

Brion Flowers

Nikita Soifer

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana tennis standouts Brion Flowers (women) and Nikita Soifer (men) have been selected Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Players of the Week for April 14-20.

Both players were chosen for the awards for the second time this season and the third time in their careers.
    
Flowers, a sophomore from Lafayette, La., and a graduate of St. Thomas More High School, won in doubles and singles in the Gold Nuggets' 6-3 home victory against Southern University. She teamed with Kourtney Howell for an 8-3 victory against Laura Syori and Kendall Bunch at the top doubles flight, and she won 6-1, 6-3 against Bunch at No. 3 singles. Flowers helped Xavier defeat Southern for the first time since 2009.
    
Soifer, a junior from Beer Sheva, Israel, and a graduate ofHof Hasharon school, won in doubles and singles in the Gold Rush's 5-4 home victory against the University of New Orleans. He teamed with Kyle Montrel for an 8-5 No. 1 doubles victory against Timo Kranz and Rui Silva, and he clinched the dual at No. 2 singles with a 6-2, 6-4 victory against Gonzalo Garcia.
    
Xavier's men, ranked 10th in the NAIA, will conclude its regular season with a 2 p.m. Thursday home dual against Alcorn State. Both XU teams will compete Friday in the NAIA Unaffiliated Group 2 Tournament in New Orleans. The Gold Nuggets are ranked second nationally.


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/xulagold 

Report: Florida A&M Targets Missouri assistant basketball coach Tim Fuller

COLUMBIA, Missouri  --  Missouri assistant basketball coach Tim Fuller will consider the head-coaching job at Florida A&M if he’s released from his Mizzou contract, a source close to the situation told the Post-Dispatch. FAMU, located in Tallahassee and a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, has targeted Fuller for the position, as first reported by CBSSports.com.

Fuller’s Missouri contract expires June 30. He makes $270,000 at MU. According to his contract, Fuller must obtain prior written permission from athletics director Mike Alden and the head coach or MU chancellor R. Bowen Loftin before he can terminate his contract.

Fuller has been serving as MU’s interim coach since Frank Haith accepted the head coaching job at Tulsa last Friday. Fuller, 36, is the only full-time assistant who has been with Haith all three seasons at Mizzou. Promoted to associate head coach in 2012, Fuller was acting coach during Haith’s five-game NCAA suspension to begin the 2013-14 season. He coached the Tigers to five wins over Southeastern Louisiana, Southern Illinois, Hawaii, Gardner-Webb and IUPUI.

Hired away from Rick Pitino’s Louisville staff, Fuller has been Haith’s top recruiter since ...

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READ RELATED ARTICLES
MU interim coach Tim Fuller reportedly is a candidate for Florida A&M job
Frank Haith introduced at Tulsa; Tim Fuller will serve as MU’s interim coach
Alden on Haith's departure: 'It's disappointing'

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2014/04/18/4967745/mus-alden-will-speak-at-11-tulsa.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2014/04/21/4973151/mu-interim-coach-tim-fuller-reportedly.html#storylink=cpy

Chowan Hawks Win the 2014 CIAA Women’s Championship with 5-0 Win Over Virginia State

ETTRICK, Virginia -- The Chowan Hawks claimed their first Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Women's Tennis Championship in school history with they took a dominating 5-0 win over the host Virginia State Lady Trojans at the VSU Tennis Complex on the campus of Virginia State University.

"It was a fantastic effort by the entire team, today," Chowan head coach Chris Stambaugh said. "We've really improved throughout this season and over the past few years."



The Chowan University women's tennis team won the 2014 CIAA Championship
on Saturday.
Photo courtesy of TheCIAA.COM

The Hawks wasted little time in taking control of the match when they took all three doubles wins. Natalya Kamenshchikova and Holly Stambaugh kicked things off with an impressive 8-2 win at #1 doubles, followed by an 8-4 win by Jessica De Backre and Jennifer Humphrey at #3 doubles. The duo of Natalia Andrade and Breanne Johnson took an 8-6 win.

In singles play, Johnson scored the fourth point for the Hawks when she won #2 singles with a 6-0 win and a win by retirement. It was Straffai Cleveland who closed out the win and the championship when she took a 6-0, 6-0 win at #6 singles.

The win brought the first women's tennis championship in school history for the Hawks. However, Stambaugh sees the win being the start of larger goals for the program. "We opened the door, today and we're here," Stambaugh added. "We've laid the groundwork for a successful future here today."

With the win, the Hawks will represent the CIAA in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament.

Box Score

COURTESY THECIAA.COM 

Benicia (Calif.) softball player Chanler Powell signs with Texas Southern

BENICIA, California  -- If Chanler Powell plays this relaxed all season, the Benicia High School softball team may be unstoppable.

Of course, signing her letter of intent to play at Texas Southern University may have had something to do with that.

During a week when she went 6-for-8 with two homers, two doubles, nine RBIs and .750 average, the senior second baseman made her signing official at Rookies Sports Bar & Grill in Benicia on Saturday afternoon.

"It is definitely stressful when you haven't made a decision yet," she said. "You definitely feel like you have something to prove. I think I am the type of player who plays better relaxed. I think once I had my offer and made my decision, I just relaxed and trusted my body and trusted my hands and just let it happen."

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Texas Southern clinches SWAC Western Division with sweep of UAPB

2014 SWAC WEST DIVISION SOFTBALL CHAMPIONS
TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY LADY TIGERS
Photo courtesy of TSU ATHLETICS

HOUSTON, Texas  --  The Texas Southern Lady Tigers softball team completed a three-game sweep of Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday winning games two and three 9-1 (five innings) and 7-3.

With the two victories the Lady Tigers clinched the regular season title for Southwestern Athletic Conference's Western Division.

"We're really please with the way we came out and played this weekend," said TSU head coach Worley Barker. "Obviously there are a few things that we can improve on but overall I felt like we play well against a quality Arkansas-Pine Bluff softball team."

In game two of the series Madison Staton tossed a gem giving up just two hits and one earned run. Brianna Simpson, Princess Daniels and Kierra Patton helped give her all the run support she would need as they trio tallied three, two, and two RBI respectively.

"We hit the ball well all weekend," said Barker. "In practice we constantly emphasize pitch selection and being disciplined at the plate. Our team has bought into what we've been working with them on and it's starting to pay off for them at the plate."

In game three of the series the Lady Tigers got the opportunity to get several of their reserves some much need playing time. Samantha Jimenez went 5.1 innings picking up the win in the series finale.

Texas Southern will return to Memorial Park on Wednesday for a non-conference contest versus Sam Houston State. The Lady Tigers will host Southern this upcoming weekend in what will be TSU's conference series finale.

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2  

COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Jackson State’s basketball recruiting class has JUCO feel to it

JACKSON, Mississippi  -- Wayne Brent knows he’s returning a young group.

That’s why the Jackson State basketball coach didn’t target many high school players this recruiting season.

If the program wants to win fast, it has to bring in more experienced players, he said. So with the five scholarships he had to offer, Brent targeted junior college players.

“With the junior college kids, we got a chance to compete and win, right now,” Brent said.

“We felt, coming in from last year, we’d go get our freshmen kids, build our foundation, and the second year go back and bring in ...

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Defense dominates in Alabama A&M scrimmage

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- There was no middle ground on Friday morning when the Alabama A&M football road show continued. 

The Bulldogs' defense was generally terrific.  The Bulldogs' offense was genuinely horrific.

That's pretty much James Spady's review after the 100-plus-play scrimmage, held on the Bob Jones High practice field; A&M's new "community outreach" philosophy has taken the 'Dogs to Huntsville High and Johnson High as well.

"Our defense was really salty," Spady said. "I'm not sure if they were in the right place, if they had the right assignments, but they competed.

"As good as the defense looked, the offense looked that bad. We've got some work to do," he said.

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AAMU Football Adjusts Practice Schedule

NORMAL, Alabama -- The Alabama A&M football team will adjust their spring practice schedule for a workshop scheduled for all A&M student-athletes.

Wednesday's 7:00 p.m. practice at Louis Crews stadium will now move to Tuesday, April 22, at 7 p.m. at Louis Crews.

The remaining practice schedule for the month is listed below:

Monday; April 21, 2014 (7:00 PM) – Practice #12 (Full Pads)

Tuesday; April 22, 2014 (7:00 PM) – Practice #13 (Full Pads)

Friday; April 25, 2014 (4:00 PM) – Practice #14 (Helmets)

Saturday; April 26, 2014 (3:00 PM) – Practice #15 (Spring Game)

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Southern's Cador to unveil autobiography at Thursday presser

COACH ROGER CADOR
Photo courtesy of Southern University Athletic

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  Roger Cador, Southern University head baseball coach, is set to release his autobiography, “Against All Odds” this summer. The book reflects on Cador’s journey to his successes as a player, coach and person.

A sneak peek of the book cover will be revealed at a press conference Thursday, April 24 at noon at the Embassy Suites located at 4914 Constitution Ave. Tressa Smallwood is heading the publishing effort at Life Changing Books and the book is set for release in late summer of 2014. For all attending the press conference, food and drink will be served during the event.

Cador credits friend, Alice Park who insisted he write this book to help motivate someone else.  “She said I needed to write this book because someone out there is going through what you went through and they may need to hear your story to help them,” said Cador.

Through this book, Cador said he hopes people will “learn the value of someone who had struggled with every facet of life and who was deprived of a basic education at a young age, who got laughed at and endured a lot of other things said about them. I didn’t quit. I just found ways to keep working and doing my thing and ignoring all of the negative things.”

Cador said in his journey of writing the motivational autobiography he found out that Herschel Walker, the former NFL player, experienced some of the same things as Cador.

One message he makes in the book is “That no matter what you go through you never give up or find fault or blame people. We live in a great country in the world. I was able to elevate myself from all of that horrible past to make good things happen,” said Cador.

Cador is in his 30^th season as the head baseball coach of Southern. He took over the program in 1984 and has become one of the most respected coaches in the Southwestern Athletic Conference with the accomplishment of compiling an 857-509-1 record.

During his time at Southern he has reached many accomplishments including: 14 SWAC Championships, eight NCAA Tournament appearances, three NCAA Play-In Tournament appearances, and his Jaguars became the first Historically Black College  University to win an NCAA Play-In game with the defeat of Austin Peay University in 1996.

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Dana Ford to Take Over TSU Men's Basketball Team



Photo courtesy of Tennessee State University Athletics

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State will tab Dana Ford as its 17^th men’s basketball coach at a press conference Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. within the Athletics Atrium located in the Student Center.

The announcement will signal a homecoming of sorts for Ford who was an assistant under former TSU coach John Cooper from 2009-2011.

 

Ford was instrumental in recruiting talented classes for the Tigers including players who went on to have professional careers in Robert Covington and Kellen Thornton. TSU went 20-13 in Ford’s last season, including the upset of previously unbeaten Murray State.

 

After his success with the Tigers, Ford became an assistant at Wichita State in 2011-12, helping head coach Gregg Marshall guide an NCAA Tournament team to a final Associated Press ranking of No. 18. The Shockers were 27-6 overall and claimed the 2012 Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championship.

 

Ford then joined the Illinois State coaching staff for the 2012-2014 seasons, where he assisted in the Redbirds’ 36-31 mark that included an appearance in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) semifinals. He was ISU’s recruiting coordinator and managed players’ academic progress along with his coaching duties.

 

Before TSU, he served as an assistant coach at Chipola Junior College (Fla.). While there, he helped lead Chipola to an impressive 35-2 overall record, its sixth-consecutive Panhandle Conference Championship with a 12-0 record, its fifth FCCAA State Championship in 10 years and a third-place finish at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Tournament.

 

Prior to Chipola, Ford served two years as a graduate assistant under Marshall at Wichita State and Winthrop. While at Winthrop, the Eagles captured their first NCAA Tournament win, defeating Notre Dame and finishing the season ranked No. 22 in the Associated Press and USA Today Top-25 polls.

 

A 2006 graduate of Illinois State, Ford earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science. While at ISU, he was a four-year letterwinner from 2002-06 and was voted the squad's defensive player of the year after being ranked in the MVC top-10 in both steals and blocks.

 

Ford is a native of Tamms, Ill., and is a member of the NABC and BCA. He is married to Christina Ford and has a son, Carson, and a stepson, Cameron.

 

The press conference will be streamed on the OVC Digital Network

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Women's Golf to Compete in OVC Championships

Courtesy: Tennessee State Athletics

MUSCLE SHOALS, Alabama – The Tennessee State women’s golf team is set to take part in the 2014 Ohio Valley Conference golf championships. After four years of play at GreyStone Golf Club in Dickson, Tenn., the championships will be played at The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at The Shoals in Muscle Shoals, Ala., for the first time since 2008. The teams will try to tame the Par-72, 6,203 yard Fighting Joe course.

 

The championships will consist of 54-holes over three days beginning on Monday, Apr. 21. Sarah Needleman will be a part of the first pairing to take to the course at 8:00am. Laura Bremer will tee off at 8:10am and will be followed by Amelia Dap at 8:20am, Natalie Spicer at 8:30am and Kelly Merkel at 8:40am. TSU will be paired with Eastern Illinois for the first round.

 

The Tigers will face off against Austin Peay, Belmont, Eastern Illinois, Jacksonville State, Morehead State, Murray State, SIUE, Tennessee Tech and defending champions, Eastern Kentucky.

 

Hole-by-hole live results from each day of the championship can be accessed through links at OVCSports.com.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU Athletics Announces Home Football Game Times

HEAD FOOTBALL COACH EARL HOLMES
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
Courtesy FAMU Athletics

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  – The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Athletic Department released the start times for the 2014 Rattler Football home games today.

This year’s five-game Bragg Stadium lineup includes three games kicking off at 5 p.m., and two November games at 3 p.m.

The early season home games with Coastal Carolina (Sept. 20), Morgan State (Oct. 4) and Savannah State (Oct. 11) will kickoff at 5 p.m.

The 2014 homecoming game against Norfolk State (Nov. 1), and home finale against South Carolina State (Nov. 8) will kickoff at 3 p.m.

The Rattlers averaged 11,170 in home attendance last season and are looking to improve on those numbers with a reinvigorated fan base, and an improved squad under the leadership of second-year head coach Earl Holmes and new athletic director Kellen Winslow Sr.

FAMU has been in the Top 25 of the NCAA FCS Division over the last five seasons, and the university hopes to exceed its banner campaign numbers from 2011, when the Rattlers ranked No. 8 in the FCS, drawing 74,985 fans in four games, averaging 17,846 per game.

Tickets are now on sale at the FAMU Athletic Ticket Office and can be purchased by payroll deduction for State of Florida workers.

FAMU 2014 Football Schedule (.pdf)

Opponent	Date	Location	Series Record	Time - ET
Jackson State	Aug. 30	Jackson, Miss.	7-8-2	6:00 pm
Univ. of Miami	Sept. 6	Miami, Fla.	1-8-0	TBA
COASTAL CAROLINA	SEPT. 20	Tallahassee, Fla.	0-0-0	5:00 pm
Tennessee St.	Sept. 27	Nashville, Tenn.	24-28-0	TBA
MORGAN STATE	OCT. 4	Tallahassee, Fla.	20-6-0	5:00 pm
SAVANNAH STATE	OCT. 11	Tallahassee, Fla.	6-0-0	5:00 pm
Howard Univ.	Oct. 18	Washington D.C.	27-9-0	1:00 pm
N.C. A&T	Oct. 25	Greensboro, NC	43-13-2	1:00 pm
NORFOLK STATE	Nov. 1	Tallahassee, Fla.	13-1-0	3:00 pm
S.C. STATE	Nov. 8	Tallahassee, Fla.	33-22-3	3:00 pm
Delaware St.	Nov. 15	Dover, Del.	22-9-0	2:00 pm
Bethune-Cookman	Nov. 22	Orlando, Fla.	48-18-1	TBA

Home games in bold caps.

VIDEO:  Highlights of  Florida A&M's 16-13 win over Miami in 1979.  (Note: there is no audio on the 2nd half of this highlight reel).  Video courtesy of the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame. Please save in your personal archives on disk.

FOLLOW THE RATTLERS AT: FAMUATHLETICS.COM AND FOR TICKET INFORMATION.
 

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

South Carolina State Wins 2014 MEAC Women's Tennis Championship

2014 MEAC WOMEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONS
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
Photo courtesy of: MEAC Media Relations

CAYCE, South Carolina -- The South Carolina State Lady Bulldogs defeated the Bethune-Cookman Lady Wildcats, 4-2, to win the 2014 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Women’s Tennis Championship title on Sunday at the Cayce Tennis & Fitness Center. The title is the 10^th consecutive and the 11^th overall for the Lady Bulldogs.

 

“It’s really exciting, especially when we started four freshman, a sophomore and one junior,” South Carolina State head coach Hardeep Judge said. “We have such a young team to lead us to another MEAC title.”

 

In doubles action, the Lady Bulldogs captured wins at the number two and three positions. SCSU’s Viktoriia Khatcei and Marketa Marcanikova topped B-CU’s Elizabethe Nyenwe and Maria Dimitrova, 8-6, to earn the Lady Bulldogs’ doubles victory and first point of the day. In the other’s doubles win, Gabby Chinchilla and Chinatsu Kajiwara rallied from a 5-1 deficit to tie the match at 6 all, but Olesandra Filipova and Dakota Brown won the next two games to take the match, 8-6.

 

Bethune-Cookman tied the match at 1-1 after Mina Matsuba defeated Klara Dohnalova, 6-0, 6-3. South Carolina State answered with wins at the number five and six positions to grab a 3-1 advantage. Dakota Brown defeated Gaby Chinchilla, 6-2, 6-4, while Marketa Marcanikova got past Ancia Ifill, 6-3, 6-1.

 

The Lady Bulldogs’ Intissar Rassif won the winning point with a thrilling 7-5, 7-6 win over B-CU’s Maria Sablina. Rassif trailed 6-5 in the second set before rattling off two games to with the match.

SCSU’s Rassif was named the Outstanding Performer, while head coach Judge was named the Outstanding Coach.

 

Rassif recorded a 3-0 record in singles play and a 1-1 mark in doubles action to win the honor. Judge was named the Outstanding Coach for the 10^th time in his career on the women’s side.

 

With the win, South Carolina State (13-5) receives the conference's automatic qualification to the NCAA Division I Women's Championship. The Division I Women's Tennis Selection Show will air Tuesday, April 29 at 5:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.

 

For more information about MEAC Women's Tennis, visit www.MEACsports.com

 

2014 Women's All-Tournament Teams:

 

Doubles:

1. Mina Matsuba and Maria Sablina, Bethune-Cookman

2. Viktoriia Khatcei and Marketa Marcanikova, South Carolina State

3. Oleskandra Filipova and Dakota Brown, South Carolina State

 

Singles:

1. Chinatsu Kajiwara, Bethune-Cookman

2. Mina Matsuba, Bethune-Cookman

3. Intissar Rassif, South Carolina State

4. Viktoriia Khatcei, South Carolina State

5. Brooke Hawthorne, Howard

6. Marketa Marcanikova, South Carolina State

 

Outstanding Performers: Intissar Rassif, South Carolina State

Outstanding Coach: Hardeep Judge, South Carolina State

 

Runner-Up Team: Bethune-Cookman University

2014 MEAC Women's Tennis Champion: South Carolina State University

 

COURTESY MEAC SPORTS RELEASE

South Carolina State Wins 2014 MEAC Men's Tennis Championship

2014 MEAC MEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONS
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS
Photo courtesy of: MEAC Media Relations

CAYCE, South Carolina  -- The South Carolina State Bulldogs defeated the Norfolk State Spartans, 4-1, to win the 2014 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men’s Tennis Championship title on Sunday at the Cayce Tennis & Fitness Center. The title is the seventh consecutive and the 12^th overall for the Bulldogs.

“I am really excited for this group of players,” South Carolina State head coach Hardeep Judge said. “We’ve worked hard all season and I am just happy for them to experience this win and the championship.”

South Carolina State took an early 1-0 lead over Norfolk State with wins at the number one and two doubles positions. SCSU’s Martin Kobza and Jiri Stiburek knocked off Dzmitry Zyhmantovich, 8-3, while Daniel Vala and Martin Figura defeated Igor Braga and Robin Riethmueller, 8-3.

In singles play, South Carolina State grabbed the win with victories at the number four, five and six positions. Norfolk State picked up a 6-2, 6-1 win at number two as Pascal Domnik knocked off Jiri Stiburek, 6-2, 6-1.

The Bulldogs’ Soufiane Mouline defeated Igor Braga, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, while Vala topped Peter Pello, 6-1, 6-1. Martin Figura gave SCSU the win at the number six position with a thrilling 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory.

Vala, who tallied a 2-0 singles mark and 3-0 record in doubles, was named Outstanding Performer, while Judge was named the Outstanding Coach for the 10^th time in his career.

With the win, South Carolina State (10-7) receives the conference's automatic qualification to the NCAA Division I Men's Championship. The Division I Men's Tennis Selection Show will air Tuesday, April 29 at 5 p.m. on NCAA.com.

For more information about MEAC Men's Tennis, visit www.MEACsports.com.

2014 Men's All-Tournament Teams:

Doubles:
1. Martin Kobza and Jiri Stiburek, South Carolina State
2. Daniel Vala and Martin Figura, South Carolina State
3. Stanislav Baco and Soufiane Mouline, South Carolina State

Singles:
1. Rodney Carey, Florida A&M

2. Pascal Domnik, Norfolk State

3. Stanislav Baco, South Carolina State
4. Soufiane Mouline, South Carolina State
5. Daniel Vala, South Carolina State

6. Martin Figura, South Carolina State

Outstanding Performers: Daniel Vala
Outstanding Coach: Hardeep Judge, South Carolina State

Runner-Up Team: Norfolk State University
2014 MEAC Men's Tennis Champion: South Carolina State University

COURTESY MEAC SPORTS RELEASE

Plan to split FSU-FAMU engineering school stirs political waters

Sen. John Thrasher is chairman of Gov. Scott's re-election campaign and is widely considered a front-runner for president of FSU.

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- An effort by Florida State University and its well-connected allies to get its own engineering school could be turning into an election-year liability for Gov. Rick Scott.

Not only would the plan cost millions of dollars, it also would mean splitting up FSU's joint school with nearby Florida A&M University, an idea that is stirring outrage among supporters of the state's historically black university and others worried about the fallout.

"Governor — you need to put an end to this idea," Duval County Republican Party Chairman Rick Hartley wrote in an email to Scott outlining his opposition to the engineering school split.

"We are trying to communicate your strong message of job growth to the black community, but this is seen as a direct slap in their face," Hartley wrote.

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TSU Football 5th Annual Golf Tournament Set For May 2

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – The Tennessee State University football team will host the fifth annual "Tee Off With The Tigers" Golf Tournament on Friday, May 2 at the Ted Rhodes Golf Course in Nashville.

The golf tournament helps raise money for the TSU Tiger Paw Foundation, which helps maintain expenses for the Big Blue Football program.
 

Golf Tournament Registration

There are plenty of opportunities to take part in the golf tournament ranging from a title sponsor to individual contributions. Organizations can also contribute prizes for Hole-In One, Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive.

For more information about the costs of sponsorship or to register, click here for the brochure. For more information, call the TSU Football Office at 615-963-7562.

 

Golf Tournament Registration

5th Annual TSU Tiger Football Golf Tournament Sponsorship Information

Title Sponsor - $2,500

Hole Sponsor - $400

Contest Sponsor - $200

Individual - $125

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU hires ex-assistant as men's basketball coach

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  Illinois State associate head coach Dana Ford has been hired as Tennessee State's new basketball coach, according to a university source.

Ford will be introduced Monday at a news conference at the school.

He will replace Travis Williams, who was fired on March 11 after leading the Tigers to a 5-25 record in his second season.

Ford served as an assistant at TSU under former coach John Cooper from 2009-11. The Tigers posted a combined record of 33-39 while Ford was on the staff.

Ford was among six finalists for the position, which also included ...

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Williams steps up in Bethune-Cookman spring football game

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  -- Quentin Williams has been Bethune-Cookman’s primary starter at quarterback over the past two seasons. But in terms of experience, he has always been third on the depth chart.

Not anymore.

 

Seniors Jackie Wilson and Brock Waters have departed, and Williams, who will be a redshirt junior this fall, played like a veteran in the Wildcats’ spring game Saturday at Municipal Stadium.

 

“You kind of take on more of that leadership role being an upperclassman,” Williams said. “You just have to be more consistent. All eyes are on you. That’s what (assistant coach and former B-CU quarterback Allen Suber) tells me all the time.”

 

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Maryland Running Out of Bets to Place on Unlawful HBCU Neglect

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland  -- In a few months, doors will open wide to new casinos in Baltimore's Inner Harbor and Prince George's National Harbor. They will bring the state to a grand total of six gaming playgrounds, with promises of billions in tax and revenues coming to the state to benefit Maryland's citizens through education and economic development.

During that same period, the two sides of Maryland's historic legal battle over race-based discrimination against its public historically black colleges and universities will reach a conclusion in mediation. The state will decide to either transfer duplicated programs at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) to irreparably harmed HBCUs, or they will take their chances in court with Federal Judge Catherine Blake, who in her October 2013 decision wrote that the transfer or merger of these programs to HBCUs would likely be "necessary" to remedy the state's separate-but-equal system of higher education.

Maryland's Public Black Colleges

• Bowie State University
• Coppin State University
• Morgan State University
• University of Maryland-Eastern Shore

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